19

Merchant Lost, Warrior Found

Light on the feet, Temperance crept down the tunnel, the old man elf and mean dracarthian behind. They did better being quiet this time, but could be more so in her opinion.

Water dripped off the damp tunnel. She didn’t like it. Temperance loved water, but this cave was cold and there wasn’t enough water to play with. Focus, Tempy! This was serious. They had to save two people.

A clawed hand grabbed the back of Temperance’s vest, rooting her. She turned and glared at Draeon, but before she could speak, he held a claw up to his lips. Her brow spiked. She was being quiet.

Draeon pointed to the side of his head where ears should be, and then pointed ahead. Did he hear something? Temperance listened but didn’t hear past the dripping water.

Before she could question him about his hearing, Draeon rushed forward, his glaive poised for attack. He swung out at the same time Temperance heard tiny feet rushing toward them. Something squeaked and then blood splattered across the cave wall. Temperance and Galinndan found out what soon after when two goblins rushed past Draeon, little weapons drawn.

So taken aback by their appearance, Temperance wasn’t ready to defend herself when one lashed out with a rusty sword. She tried to jump away, but the metal sliced across her side, unprotected from her starcloth clothes. She cried out in pain, tears brimming her eyes, and stumbled back.

Galinndan slammed into the goblin with Orsik’s shield, stunning the creepy-looking creature. The old elf followed up with a swing of his flail. A sickening crack echoed through the tunnel when the spiked ball made contact with goblin’s head, caving it in. Bile rose up into Temperance’s throat. Ewwie.

The remaining goblin backed up, fearful of the mistake it and its comrades made. Draeon went to dispatch it, but the creature flinched and dove away. The dracarthian’s sharp blade bounced off the cave wall.

Temperance took a deep breath to calm herself and launched for the goblin, daggers poised. Die meanie! Her weapons sunk into the soft skin of the creature but something surprising happened. A warm, chaotic energy surged through her into her daggers. The goblin’s eyes went wide and twitched before going limp. The energy died soon after. Temperance jumped back. What was that?

She knew the feeling of natural magic. And even the odd feeling of arcane from when she used that spell Xalanath taught her. This wasn’t anything like that. It had a power that exhilarated her, and a natural and innate sensation that scared her.

A gauntleted hand touched her shoulder, bringing her out of her mind. Galinndan gazed at her. “You okay?”

Temperance shook herself. “Yeah. Just… not used to killing peoples.”

“It gets easier the longer you’re in this line of work.”

Temperance wasn’t sure how much she liked that idea. Wasn’t it wrong to get used to killing? Even if it was in defense?

Draeon sniffed the air. “Something smells… burnt—like cooked flesh.”

“Didn’t it smell that way when Aviana killed a goblin upon waking up?” Galinndan said.

The two of them looked to Temperance and she didn’t know why. She shrunk back. “Why are you looking at me?”

“What did you do to the goblin?” Galinndan asked.

She gazed at them with wide eyes. “I just killeded him.”

As the half-truth slipped from her tongue, she wondered if her sister had the answers. Did Aviana kill the goblin in the same way? Was this something special the two of them could do and she’d only just discovered the ability now?

Draeon and Galinndan glanced at each other and then Draeon shook his head. “Doesn’t matter. We need to find our employer. Is your spell still working?”

Temperance nodded. “It lasts for a few hours… I think.”

“She thinks.” Draeon grumbled to himself. “Fantastic. Well, let’s get moving.”

Galinndan held up a hand. “Before we do, Temperance, how is that wound?”

She’d forgotten about it. Temperance looked down at it, and did a check like she’d seen Aviana do for wounds. The rusted nature of the weapon did not result in a clean cut in any sense of the word.

Temperance took a deep breath and tried to heal. Her fingers glowed and energy recycled through her. The cut cleaned and sealed, but not all the way. “That’ll do for now.”

“Good, let’s move,” Draeon said, walking off before the others agreed.

Temperance sighed and followed down the winding tunnel. Their path remained clear for some time until they reached a small chamber with a fork in the path. The stream from the area they’d been held captive in was back. It’d disappeared down its own low cutting tunnel, and now came back out in this chamber, running under a bridge constructed for the right branching path.

Draeon pointed to the left winding path. “Those bugbears dragged us in here from that path. It was one long tunnel following the stream, so we should go right.”

No one questioned him and pushed on. They crossed the bridge and headed down the new tunnel. This passage had more wear, as if it were used most. Temperance scrunched her nose when the pungent smell of refuse and rot wafted through the tunnel. Draeon and Galinndan weren’t immune to the disgusting scent either.

“Goblins are disgusting,” Draeon muttered.

Temperance hushed him. “My spell doesn’t make your voice invisible.”

“Does your spell even make us invisible?”

She didn’t like his tone. “Of course it does! Even ask Avi.”

The dracarthian grunted and moved forward.

A little ways down the path, as the smell worsened, the sound of small feet shuffling echoed across the stone. Draeon gripped his glaive and Temperance pulled her daggers again. She refused to be surprised this time.

A shadow fell onto the wall, projected from a low firelight beyond the bend. The owner moved around quickly, the distorted shadow features looking very much like a goblin. Draeon poised to rush in, but Galinndan had his mind straight and stopped the dracarthian, shaking his head. Temperance watched them make hand motions as if they were talking in some sort of code. She puffed out her cheeks. I wanna know what they’re talking about!

Then Galinndan pointed at her, though didn’t take his eyes off Draeon. Temperance cocked her head when Draeon shook his head. Whatever Draeon protested, Galinndan was insistent on. The two argued in this weird silent code so long, they didn’t notice the goblin that came around the bend. Its eyes went wide upon spotting them somehow.

“Uh, peoples,” Temperance said. They hushed her and continued to argue in silence. “But the goblin.”

She pointed just as it started to run away. Galinndan and Draeon focused on her and her gesture as the goblin disappeared. Draeon gripped his weapon and rushed after the creature. Galinndan and Temperance followed.

The dracarthian swung his wicked blade, missing the tiny creature as it scurried away. It tried to hide under a rotting table but Draeon slammed his blade into the furniture, collapsing it into the floor and sending a rotting carcass flying. The goblin screamed and ran for another table.

That was when Temperance noticed something. This goblin didn’t have any weapons on it. The poor thing is defenseless!

Aviana always taught her to be kind to those who could do you no harm. And her sister taught Temperance no one was born evil. It didn’t matter their race or background, they made their choices in life. And right now it didn’t matter if other goblins gave them issues earlier, this one wasn’t.

Temperance jumped in front of Draeon and held her hands up. “Stop! Stop!”

He did, but only because he didn’t want to hit her. “What is wrong with you? Get out of the way.”

This dracarthian towered over her, and with his weapon he had an intimidating presence. But Temperance refused to give into it. “No. It’s defenseless.”

“And? It’s a goblin.”

“That doesn’t make it something you have to kill outright.”

“She does have a point,” Galinndan said. “We could use it for information.”

That wasn’t where she was going with this, but if it got Draeon to stop attacking she’d run with it at this point.

Draeon’s shoulders relaxed and he lowered his weapon. “Okay, then make it talk.”

Temperance could tell she didn’t have a whole lot of time. This dracarthian was looking for blood, so she’d have to play her cards right. She jumped up on the table and kneeled down, listening to where the goblin was. It hadn’t bolted yet, but that may be because the two men blocked the way out, from what she could see scanning the room. There were an alcove on a higher ledge in the back, but since it was dark, and there were nests of fur all around this room, like beds of some kind, Temperance suspected that wasn’t a way out.

She bent over and peered under the table, her hair spilling over and coming face to face with a wide-eyed, toothy mouth goblin. “Hi, I’m Temperance.”

The creature squeaked and scurried back to the wall, its golden eyes filled with fear.

“No, don’t do that,” Temperance said. “I’m not going to hurt you. I’m not mean like the dracarthian.”

Draeon grunted. The goblin calmed a bit, but didn’t come close.

“Do you know common?” Temperance asked it.

The goblin nodded.

“What’s your name?”

The creature hesitated. “Seefta…”

“Hi, Seefta. Can you answer some questions?”

Seefta pulled into itself, and then spoke in broken common. “You… no hurt?”

Temperance smiled at the goblin. “I promise we won’t hurt you if you answer all my questions.”

Draeon snorted and then grumbled when Galinndan told him they’d have to abide by the promise.

“You goblins took friends of ours,” Temperance said. “We want them back. Where did you take a human man and dwarf man?”

The goblin thought for a minute then pointed to one last table at the far end of the chamber. A familiar man in tattered clothes lay there. Temperance gasped. “Mister Asher!”

Before she could move, Draeon and Galinndan rushed over to the human. Even from over where Temperance remained Asher didn’t look so good and her heart skipped when Draeon bared his teeth. “He’s been chewed on!”

The goblin, who had ventured out more, shrunk back. “Masters said… food… we eat…”

Galinndan pressed his pointed hear to Asher’s chest. “He’s still got a heartbeat.”

Temperance’s eyes widened. They ate him while he was still alive? How had he not woken up in screaming agony?

“He looks comatose,” Draeon said. “I’ve seen it in others who sustain massive physical trauma.”

Galinndan nodded. “Same. We need to get him to Aviana and Orsik.”

Since he was taller, Draeon lifted Asher over his shoulder. “Let’s hope the woman is awake now since Orsik may still be too spent to heal.”

This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

As they headed back the way they’d come, Draeon flashed a scowl at the goblin. Temperance narrowed her eyes. “Don’t. It gave us answers and we promised.”

“She…” the goblin squeaked out.

Draeon snarled and continued on. There wasn’t time to waste getting Asher fixed up. Galinndan lagged behind. “You should come with us, Temperance. Your sister won’t like if we leave you behind.”

Temperance shook her head, her red hair bouncing about. “Not yet. I still have some questions for Seefta. You go help get Asher fixed up. I’ll be fine.”

Galinndan’s eyes gave away his uncertainty but he eventually gave in and also left.

Temperance bent over the table again. “Seefta, can you tell me where the dwarf is now?”

♦ ♦ ♦

Aviana rummaged through the pile of wears. Her staff with totem they’d found leaned against the cave wall, illuminated the room with a simple spell Orisk was able to muster. They’d managed to find her staff with its totem still attached and Galinndan’s shield early into their hunt. Not long after Orsik found his mace, her scimitar, and then everyone’s bags. Some of it had been gone through but a lot of their things still remained.

Gimor’s wears were also located, though Aviana wasn’t sure how much they’d be able to carry now that they didn’t have horses or a wagon. That, of course, was if they still had an employer.

When Aviana had awoken, Orsik gave her a rundown of what she’d missed and where the others had run off to. That’d been some time ago and she was starting to get worried.

Orsik and she looked up from their scrounging when the jangling of chainmaille armor echoed through the cave. Aviana gripped her sword, ready to defend them, only to relax when Draeon and Galinndan rushed into the chamber. Temperance was nowhere in sight.

“Where’s my sister?” Aviana asked.

“No time!” Galinndan shouted. “Asher needs help.”

Draeon placed down an unmoving body. Aviana gasped. It was him, and he wasn’t doing so well. She scrambled off the pile, Orsik tumbling, and rushed to Asher’s side.

He bled all over from large wounds from what looked to be caused by teeth. He was also missing a few fingers. Right now I wish I knew how to restore that in others. Aviana could grow back her own limbs thanks to her connection to nature, though it took several weeks to regrow something like a finger, but that didn’t help her now.

Focus, Avi. She needed to ensure Asher would live before they worried about lasting effects on his life. She checked him over and gave Orsik instructions to retrieve some healing potions they’d found in their search. Combining that and almost all the healing she had in her, they managed to stabilize the young human, but that was questionable as well.

His body pulsed with trauma. It’d be some time before he woke up, and he could fall back into a dangerous state again. Aviana decided to use the last of her healing capabilities on him. If they ran into trouble, they’d have to rely on the potions they found, and hope the problem wouldn’t extend past those meager needs.

“Aviana, can I ask you something?” Galinndan said. “If it’s not going to cause concentration issues while you fix up Asher.”

“Sure.”

“That spell your sister uses, the one to help us sneak around, she seems to think it makes us invisible.”

Aviana laughed. “You found that out did you? Yeah, no matter how many time I tell her it just makes her harder to find and not outright impossible, she goes on believing what she wants. There will come a day when she’ll realize the truth, but until then, she’ll be her usual self.”

She finished what she could manage in the healing of Asher. Color had return to him, and his wounds had healed over, though not in any pretty way. “Speaking of my sister, where is she?”

Galinndan opened his mouth to speak, when a familiar peppy voice called out. “I’m right here!”

Everyone turned to see Temperance skipping into the chamber. Galinndan muttered under his breath, though Aviana’s good hearing picked it up. “Oh, thank Akorith she’s unharmed.”

“Temperance, why weren’t you with them?” Aviana asked. She did her best not to sound angry. There may be a logical reason. Or not. It was Temperance.

“I was talking to the nice goblin we found,” Temperance said, her eyes innocent.

Aviana’s brow furrowed and Draeon jumped in. “We found a lone goblin. She insisted on speaking with it.”

Temperance crossed her arms. “She. Her name was Seefta and she was way nicer than you. She showed us where Asher was and she told me where the bandit took Gimor… sorta.” All eyes fell on the young redhead, urging her to continue. She did. “They took him to their master.”

“Who be their master, lass?” Orsik asked.

Her shoulders tensed and she curled her fingers in front of her face. “Arcanis”—her arms flew up over her head and her eyes went wild—“the Widow Maker!” Temperance then relaxed as everyone stared from her interesting reveal. “He’s in a place called Shaldor Fortress.”

Aviana had never heard of the place, or this unknown master. Glancing at the others they weren’t anymore clued in. “Temperance, did you get an idea of where that is?”

She shook her head. “No. But Seefta said that half-orc with the red paint with the pretty wolfie would know. He claimed to have direct contact with Arcanis.”

“Too bad he got away,” Galinndan grumbled.

“Aye, but maybe tha goblin gave a name?” Orsik said. “Might help us uncover clues.”

Temperance smiled. “She did give that. His name was Kel’esh.”

Galinndan step forward. “Are you sure? Are you sure that was the name she gave?”

Aviana’s brow rose. Not only was Galinndan acting unusual, but Orsik also became more alert.

Temperance placed her hands on her hips. “Of course I’m sure! Why would I lie about that?”

“We dinnae think yer lyin’, lass,” Orsik said. “We just wanted clarification. Those bandits we ran intae the first day Galinndan and I met? They were led by a ferocious lass wi’ red face paint. But she got away. The one who helped ‘er surprised us wi’ a smoke screen an’ whisked her away. She called him by that name.”

“You think this is the same person?” Aviana asked. It wasn’t likely the half-orc shared his name with another, but the odds of them crossing his path after what the two men went through, weren’t probable either.

Galinndan nodded. “I’d bet a life of celibacy on it. His voice sounded familiar to me when we fought him here.”

“Interesting how this is all connected in some way,” Draeon said. “One would call it a coincidence.”

“That settlement we helped may be around here,” Orsik said. “Sae I wou’ nae be too surprised it be connected in some way.”

“Coincidence or not, we still have a problem on our hand,” Aviana said. “Gimor is missing and Asher needs more medical attention than Orsik and I can provide, even over an extended period of time.”

Orsik nodded. “Aye, we neit tae get him tae Ashbourne.”

“We might be able to gather clues while we’re there,” Galinndan said. “This fortress can’t be too far if they brought Gimor there.”

Draeon looked to the pile of wears. “What are we going to do with that?”

Aviana shrugged. “Not much we can do. The wagon broke and mine and Temperance’s infinity satchel can only hold so much.”

“Avi, did you find our stuff?” Temperance asked, her eyes wide.

She nodded. “Yes, Orsik and I did some digging while you three were gone. Most of our things is accounted for, though they did rifle through the packs and take some stuff.”

Temperance gasped. “Did they take our gold?”

Aviana rocked her head back and forth. “Some of it.” She grinned. “But I was smart to store most in the infinity satchel. And they didn’t think to take that.”

Temperance squealed and ran over to their belongings. She stopped when she spotted a beat up chest Orsik had pulled out, one not belonging to Gimor. “Avi, what’s this?”

“It’s a chest we think came from another unfortunate soul who came under attack before we did,” she said. “It’s locked up though.”

Temperance pulled her lock pick from her side and held it up, Aviana’s staff casting a slight gleam on the metal surface. “Not for long!”

Her sister looked the chest over, making sure there were no sneaky traps placed. Once their father decided to leave her a gift, but in a way that appeared Temperance had found it on her own. After getting her finger snagged from a minor trap he set on purpose, she learned to always check for surprises.

Not finding any, Temperance went to work, easily taking the lock out of the picture. She giggled in delight and threw open the lid, the sound of it hitting the stone floor echoing through the cave. Aviana and Galinndan cringed, their sensitive ears not pleased with the unpleasant sound.

Temperance gasped. “Monies! Oh-oops…”

Everyone laughed as she fell into the chest to dig through it.

“There’s potions!” She climbed out holing up two bottles with light red liquid. “Vitality potions.”

Temperance held up a small green object. “And a pretty frogie made of some stone. Avi, you could tell us what it’s made of, right?”

“Yes and no,” Aviana said. “I can give my best guess, but those bastards took all of my traveling sets. I have no alchemy capabilities or gem evaluation capabilities until I can buy new kits.”

Temperance’s nose scrunched. “Meanies.”

She skipped over to Aviana for her to take a look at the frog. “The best I can surmise, it’s made of jade.

“Oh, I like jade,” Temperance said. “If no one wants this, can I has it?”

No one was eager to claim it. Aviana would like it, but her sister’s excitement over claiming the figure kept her mouth shut. After everything the young woman had gone through that wasn’t in Aviana’s original plan by a long shot, she deserved it. “You take it, Temperance.”

Her sister’s eyes lit up. “You’re the bestest!”

Aviana smiled and glanced over at the loot pile. “How much gold was in the chest, Temperance?”

Her sister’s eyes went wide. “A lot.”

That was helpful. She decided to go over and take a look, Orsik taking over monitoring Asher. Sifting and counting, Temperance hadn’t been wrong. There was four hundred gold lose in this chest. In her counting and divvying, she found a small pouch containing thirty-four more gold, fifty silver, and three golden human-like teeth. Her brow rose. That’s… weird… But, they could be worth something, so she chose not to toss them. Instead, she added the pouch to her stash.

By the time she’d gotten that taken care of, the others were ready to head out. They gratefully took their share of the money—except Orsik. He tried to claim he didn’t need it and no amount of insisting would convince him otherwise. Aviana stored his amount in her bag to keep on his behalf.

Draeon carried Asher, and Orsik and Galinndan grabbed a chest with Gimor’s insignia. This left Aviana and Temperance to lead everyone out, though mostly Temperance since she knew where they were going.

“And then, Seefta and I became friends!” Temperance said, her arms going into the air.

Draeon snorted. “You can’t be friends with goblins.”

“Yes you can,” Temperance muttered. “And she’d make a way better friend than you.”

Draeon snorted. Aviana decided to ignore the dracarthian’s foul attitude and focus on her sister. “And then what happened to Seefta?”

“Then, I told her eating peoples was bad and she should join the goblins that live near us. I even found some leather and charcoal to make her a map!”

“Why would you want more goblins living near you?” Galinndan asked. “No one likes a pest problem.”

Aviana rolled her eyes. “Shows how little you know and give chance to others. The goblins near us aren’t an issue. We trade with them every now and then.”

“That’s… unusual.”

Orsik chuckled. “Yer people, lass, sound like open people.”

We used to be at least… The situation wasn’t as open and easy as it sounded, even with one of the kobold clans too, but they didn’t cause the clan problems because of the trade negotiations. “It’s something like that.”

A cool breeze blew through the new tunnel they traversed. Aviana took in a deep breath, relishing the freshness. She was over this dank cave. Upon coming out of it, they halted, several goblins barring their path. They all carried weapons, and looked like some sort of strange last defense to keep them from leaving. No doubt Kel’esh is behind this.

Draeon growled. “Great. Now we have to deal with this.”

“I’ve got it,” Aviana said.

Her head fell back, her eyes going to the sky. She raised her hands up and summoned her favorite storm spell at her disposal. The clouds gathered at a rapid pace, and by the time the goblins knew they were being attacked, it was too late. Lightning crashed down on the small group, killing them instantly. “And that’s how you deal with that problem.”

Draeon swiveled his massive head to look at her. “Why couldn’t you have done that sooner?”

“Hmm, I don’t know, Draeon, why can’t I summon lightning down from the sky into a cave?”

The others laughed around him, his scaly face twisting in his irritation. “I meant earlier on the road. Would have saved us a great deal of trouble and we wouldn’t have a missing employer on our hands.”

Aviana shook her head. “I’m not sure about your armor, but last I check, metal conducted electricity. And since more than half of those here wear some form of it, I’d be doing more than just frying up goblins for dinner.”

The dracarthian’s eyes widened, her words ringing true with him.

She headed down the path. “Take this advice as you will, Draeon. Don’t underestimate those around you. Just because they do not possess the same skills, that does not makes them useless.”

Aviana turned and looked back at him. “I may not have the same type of battle experience as you, making it more difficult to make snap decisions in intense life of death moment, but that does not make me useless. I have a particular skill set I’m good at, and it’s more than just flaunting my pretty face. And because I know it, I at least had the presence of mind not to use a spell that could harm those I ally with, no matter how useful or strong the spell is.”

Draeon’s eyes narrowed, not liking how she challenged him, but didn’t have any comeback.

The group continued on down a beaten footpath through the forest. It was the only one leading to the cave, so they all hoped it’d lead to the open road. Temperance choose to skip and splash away through the stream leaving the tunnel. Draeon found it annoying, but everyone else enjoyed her energy. It helped them keep their spirits up.

Their progress through the forest remained uneventful, much to their pleasure. It wasn’t until they finally made it out to the road where they’d been attacked earlier did something unusual happen.

An ice formation in what looked like an arrow sign sat in the middle of the road. What in Akorith’s name?

Draeon was skeptical about going anywhere near it, but Aviana’s curiosity got the better of her. Galinndan and Orsik followed. Sure enough, it was a sign, but the flowing script puzzled them all. Something in the back of Aviana’s mind nagged at, as if it were familiar, but she wasn’t quite sure why.

“Hey, Avi?” Temperance said.

“Yeah?” Aviana didn’t look away from the sign.

“I found the horses. And the wagon.”

A knot formed in Aviana’s stomach. Now Temperance is going get all upset seeing dead—She turned and everything in her mind stopped. She expected dead and mutilated horses and their broken wagon. Instead, there were three very-much-alive horses and a donkey tied to an ice pole. And the wagon? Fixed and upright. “Uh…”

Everyone went over to the bizarre scene. All the equine were fed and unharmed. Tyrone brayed in greeting and went back to grazing, as if they’d only been gone a few minutes. Aviana checked out the wagon, only to find a peculiar sight.

The cracked and broken wood wasn’t just fixed. New wood had grown around and into it. She’d seen this type of work before. It was natural magic, something the druids back home did a lot when they were in a hurry and couldn’t fuss with a proper fix. A lone lily growing on the tongue caught her eye.

She picked it and inhaled the sweet scent. The shape of it reminded her of the star lilies back home, but it smelled nothing like them. This had definitely been done by a magic user, but who and why?

“Who would have done this?” Galinndan mused. “It doesn’t make sense.”

“Avi, I found a clue!” Temperance called out. She’d gone back to the sign.

“Can ye read that, lass?” Orsik asked.

She nodded. “It’s written in Faeryn.”

“Faeryn?” Orsik scratched his bearded. “Ain’t that tha language o’ tha fae?”

Temperance’s head nodded vigorously. “Yep. It’s a language I studied too.”

It was one language Aviana remembered her sister insisting she learn. And it explained why the script looked so familiar. Not only was Elvish a derived language from Faeryn, her own grandfather knew the language.”

Orsik looked to Aviana. “Dae ye know it tae?”

Aviana chuckled. “If I did, I would have been able to read that sign. Sadly, I only know some basic conversation. I never pursued it further.”

“How come?”

Her eyes lowered and fell elsewhere, pain flashing through her chest. “I had my reasons.”

“I see. Wee lass, what daes tha sign say?”

“It says, ‘remember.’”

Everyone but Galinndan looked at each other, unsure what that was supposed to mean. Galinndan appeared to be thinking, but in the end his simple mind couldn’t figure out whatever he was trying to achieve.

“Don’t matter, does it?” he said. “We have a wagon and we have horses. We can now carry everything back and won’t have to walk.”

He had a point. It was best not to look this gift in the mouth. She and Temperance went about getting Asher comfortable while the three men returned to the cave to gather up the remaining supplies.

Once ready, they tacked up the equine and head out for Ashbourne. Their hearts and mind heavy but hoping for answers of Gimor’s whereabouts. For they had an oath they were not willing to break.

End Book 1, Prophecy of Convergence

Next Book 2, Prophecy of Unbroken Oaths